Front Range Air Quality Forecast & Colorado Smoke Outlook

Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Friday.

Fine Particulate Matter concentrations are expected to be in the Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range on Friday. Concentrations in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category will likely be confined to locations within the Denver Metro area. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children within the Denver Metro area should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion on Friday. For all other locations along the Colorado Front Range, including Fort Collins, Greeley, and Colorado Springs, concentrations are expected to be in the Moderate category. In these areas unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion on Friday.

Carbon Monoxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good category on Friday.

Nitrogen Dioxide concentrations are expected to be in the Good to Moderate range on Friday. Moderate concentrations are most likely in the Denver Metro area near busy roadways, particularly between the hours of 7-10 AM and 5-9 PM. For health recommendation, please see Fine Particulate Matter above.

Visibility is expected to be Poor to Extremely Poor on Friday.

COLORADO SMOKE OUTLOOK:Friday, December 9, 2016, 7:30 AM MST

Light to moderate smoke is possible near prescribed fires and small wildfires around the state.

What if there is a wildfire or smoke in your area?

The focus of the Colorado Smoke Outlook is on large fires (e.g., greater than 100 acres in size). Nevertheless, smoke from smaller fires, prescribed fires, and/or smoke from new fires not yet known to CDPHE air quality meteorologists may cause locally heavy smoke. If there is smoke in your neighborhood, see the public health recommendations below.

Public health recommendations for areas affected by smoke:
If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Fine particulates may reach the Unhealthy category where smoke is heavy. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion; everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. IF VISIBILITY IS LESS THAN 5 MILES IN SMOKE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, SMOKE HAS REACHED LEVELS THAT ARE UNHEALTHY.
For additional information about smoke, visit:http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/wildfire.aspx